From apartheid to batho pele: An exploratory study on service delivery and public participation in Atteridgeville-Saulsville

Abstract

The focus of the case study is public participation in the local government arena. The article examines the  importance  of  public  participation  in  the  policy  process  and  service  delivery  in  Atteridgeville-Saulsville  from  apartheid  times  to  post-apartheid  rule.  As  a  case  study,  public  participation  in  the  Tshwane  Metropolitan  Council  (previously  Pretoria  City  Council  or  Stadsraad)  is  traced  back  to  the  establishment of this “black township” (a black location in apartheid jargon) and investigated up until 2008.  Public  participation  during  the  apartheid  era  was  based  on  racial  division.  Black  people  were  not  allowed  to  participate  in  the  decision-making  processes  that  affected  their  locality.  Democratic  government  since  1994,  and  more  so  since  the  acceptance  of  the  democratic  constitution,  Act  108  of  1996,  brought  about  an  emphasis  on  equal  citizen  participation  regardless  of  colour,  status  or  geographical  location.  The  Constitution  enforces  the  responsibility  of  local  government  to  ensure  public  participation  in  decision  making.  In  democracies  local  government  structures  are  traditionally  
seen as government closest to the people. The term batho pele strongly implies quality service delivery to  human  communities  as  well  as  accountability  and  transparency  with  a  “human  touch”.  Service  provision  should  be  informed  by  the  needs  and  aspirations  of  the  local  communities,  extracted  from  the community through participation. Making use of a qualitative approach, among others face-to-face interviews, the authors explore the case under review and how those who experience local government view the service delivery flowing from current policy and practice in contrast to that of the past.